Benin’s outgoing Prime Minister Lionel Zinsou has conceded defeat to businessman Patrice Talon in Sunday’s presidential run-off.

Mr Zinsou posted on Facebook that he had called Mr Talon to congratulate him “on his victory and wish him luck.”

President Thomas Boni Yayi is stepping down after two terms.

Polls took place in four other African countries over the weekend, including Congo-Brazzaville, Cape Verde, Niger and Tanzania’s Zanzibar islands.

Mr Talon, known as the “king of cotton”, used to be a close ally of Mr Boni Yayi, but was accused of masterminding a plot to poison him in 2012.

“The provisional results point to a decisive victory for Patrice Talon; the difference is significant, electoral victory is certain” Mr Zinsou told the AFP news agency by telephone. (BBC)

•Photo shows Benin’s President-elect Lionel Zinsou.